§5.632. Utility reimbursements.
24 C.F.R. § 5.632
Applicability. This section is applicable to:
The Section 8 programs other than the Section 8 voucher program (for distribution of a voucher housing assistance payment that exceeds rent to owner, see § 982.514(b) of this title);
A public housing family paying an income-based rent (see § 960.253 of this title). (Utility reimbursement is not paid for a public housing family that is paying a flat rent.)
Payment of utility reimbursement.
The responsible entity pays a utility reimbursement if the utility allowance (for tenant-paid utilities) exceeds the amount of the total tenant payment. The responsible entity has the option of making utility reimbursement payments not less than once per calendar-year quarter, for reimbursements totaling $45 or less per quarter. In the event a family leaves the program in advance of its next quarterly reimbursement, the responsible entity must reimburse the family for a prorated share of the applicable reimbursement. PHAs and owners exercising this option must have a hardship policy in place for tenants.
In the public housing program (where the family is paying an income-based rent), the Section 8 moderate rehabilitation program and the Section 8 voucher program, the PHA may pay the utility reimbursement either to the family or directly to the utility supplier to pay the utility bill on behalf of the family. If the PHA elects to pay the utility supplier, the PHA must notify the family of the amount paid to the utility supplier.
In the other Section 8 programs, the owner must pay the utility reimbursement either:
To the family, or
With consent of the family, to the utility supplier to pay the utility bill on behalf of the family.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
Amendments
[65 FR 16719, Mar. 29, 2000, as amended at 82 FR 58339, Dec. 12, 2017; 89 FR 38290, May 7, 2024]
Authority
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1437a, 1437c, 1437d, 1437f, 1437n, and 3535(d).
Source
Source: 61 FR 54498, Oct. 18, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Authority
Authority: 12 U.S.C. 1701x; 42 U.S.C. 1437a, 1437c, 1437f, 1437n, 3535(d); 42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.; 34 U.S.C. 12471 et seq.; Sec. 327, Pub. L. 109-115, 119 Stat. 2396; E.O. 13279, 67 FR 77141, 3 CFR, 2002 Comp., p. 258; E.O. 13559, 75 FR 71319, 3 CFR, 2010 Comp., p. 273; E.O. 14015, 86 FR 10007, 3 CFR, 2021 Comp., p. 517.
Source
Source: 61 FR 5202, Feb. 9, 1996, unless otherwise noted.
Amendments
[65 FR 16719, Mar. 29, 2000, as amended at 82 FR 58339, Dec. 12, 2017; 89 FR 38290, May 7, 2024]